Lessons

Lesson for Core Concept #3: The Emerging American Identity

Robert Baker, Needham High School, MA

People living in the thirteen colonies increasingly defined themselves as different from other British subjects as ideas of what it meant to be an American emerged over time.

Activity: Presentation and Analysis of Quotations

Procedure:

This is designed to be a one-period classroom activity. Individually, in pairs, or in small groups students can be assigned at least one historical quotation to analyze and present to the class. Print out each quotation on a separate page.

The Sugar Act

"We … declare our just expectations"

"Boston, May 28. At a Meeting of the Freeholders ..."Article from page 2 of The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston News-Letter, Number 3145, 31 May 1764.

See column 2, paragraph 2: "But what still heightens our apprehensions is … the miserable state of tributary slaves."

The Stamp Act

A Call for a Unified Response

"From the Providence Gazette Extraordinary. The following is said to be a copy of the Resolutions of the Congress held at New-York ..."Article from page 3 of The Massachusetts Gazette, number 0, 20 March 1766